Combined Heart and Kidney Transplantation: Initial Clinical Experience

ABSTRACT Introduction: Combined solid organ transplantation is infrequently performed in Brazil. The objective of this article is to present our initial experience with combined heart and kidney transplantation. Methods: From January 2007 to December 2019, four patients were submitted to combined heart and kidney transplantation. Their mean age was 55.7±4.4 years, and three (75%) patients were males. All patients had Chagas cardiomyopathy, two were hospitalized and inotrope dependent, and all patients were on preoperative dialysis (median of 12 months prior to transplant). Results: All patients survived and were in New York Heart Association functional class I at the latest follow-up (mean 34.7±17.5 months). Mean retarded kidney graft function was 22.9±9.7 days. One patient lost the kidney graft two years after the transplant due to Polyomavirus infection. Conclusion: Our initial experience of combined heart and kidney transplantation was favorable in selected patients with advanced heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. It requires involvement of a dedicated multispecialty team throughout all the diagnostics and treatment steps.

Hemoptise maciça tratada com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea e trombolítico endobrônquico com sucesso / Massive hemoptysis successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and endobronchial thrombolysis

RESUMO A oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea tem sido utilizada para tratamento de hipoxemia refratária em muitos cenários clínicos. Os princípios fundamentais do manejo do paciente com hemoptise maciça são a proteção da via aérea e do pulmão sadio, a localização da fonte de sangramento e o controle da hemorragia. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente com insuficiência respiratória aguda associada à hemoptise maciça secundária à laceração pulmonar durante cirurgia cardíaca. O uso da oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea venoarterial permitiu a sobrevivência da paciente, porém, devido à grande dificuldade no manejo dos coágulos pulmonares após hemoptise, foi necessário o uso de terapia incomum, com infusão endobrônquica de trombolítico, conforme descrito em raros casos na literatura.

ABSTRACT Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used to treat refractory hypoxemia in numerous clinical scenarios. The fundamental principles for the management of massive hemoptysis patients include protecting the airway and healthy lung, locating the source of bleeding and controlling the hemorrhage. We report the case of a patient with acute respiratory failure associated with massive hemoptysis secondary to lung laceration during cardiac surgery. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation allowed patient survival. However, due to the great difficulty in managing pulmonary clots after hemoptysis, it was necessary to use an unusual therapy involving endobronchial infusion of a thrombolytic agent as described in rare cases in the literature.

Addition of long-distance heart procurement promotes changes in heart transplant waiting list status / Incorporação da captação à distância promove mudanças na situação dos receptores em fila para transplante cardíaco

Objective: Evaluate the addition of long-distance heart procurement on a heart transplant program and the status of heart transplant recipients waiting list. Methods: Between September 2006 and October 2012, 72 patients were listed as heart transplant recipients. Heart transplant was performed in 41 (57%), death on the waiting list occurred in 26 (36%) and heart recovery occurred in 5 (7%). Initially, all transplants were performed with local donors. Long-distance, interstate heart procurement initiated in February 2011. Thirty (73%) transplants were performed with local donors and 11 (27%) with long-distance donors (mean distance=792 km±397). Results: Patients submitted to interstate heart procurement had greater ischemic times (212 min ± 32 versus 90 min±18; P<0.0001). Primary graft dysfunction (distance 9.1% versus local 26.7%; P=0.23) and 1 month and 12 months actuarial survival (distance 90.1% and 90.1% versus local 90% and 86.2%; P=0.65 log rank) were similar among groups. There were marked incremental transplant center volume (64.4% versus 40.7%, P=0.05) with a tendency on less waiting list times (median 1.5 month versus 2.4 months, P=0.18). There was a tendency on reduced waiting list mortality (28.9% versus 48.2%, P=0.09). Conclusion: Incorporation of long-distance heart procurement, despite being associated with longer ischemic times, does not increase morbidity and mortality rates after heart transplant. It enhances viable donor pool, and it may reduce waiting list recipient mortality as well as waiting time. .

Objetivo: Mostrar a incorporação da captação a distância em um programa de transplante cardíaco e a situação dos receptores em fila após a organização deste sistema. Métodos: Entre setembro de 2006 e outubro de 2012, 72 pacientes foram incluídos na fila de transplante cardíaco. Transplante cardíaco foi realizado em 41 (57%), óbito em fila em 26 (36%) e melhora clínica em 5 (7%). Inicialmente, todos os transplantes foram realizados com captação local. Em fevereiro de 2011, teve início a captação a distância interestadual. Foram realizados 30 (73%) transplantes com captações locais e 11 (27%) em outros estados (distância média=792 km±397). Resultados: Pacientes submetidos à captação à distância tiveram maior tempo de isquemia fria (212 min±32 versus 90 min±18; P<0,0001). A taxa de disfunção primária de enxerto (distância 9,1% versus local 26,7%; P=0,23) e de sobrevida atuarial em 1 mês e 12 meses (distância 90,1% e 90,1% versus local 90% e 86,2%; P=0,65 log rank) foram similares entre os grupos. Houve expressivo aumento na capacidade do centro em transplantar (64,4% versus 40,7%, P=0,05) com tendência a redução de tempo em fila de espera (mediana 1,5 mês versus 2,4 meses, P=0,18). Houve ainda tendência a redução na mortalidade em fila de espera (28,9% versus 48,2%, P=0,09). Conclusão: A incorporação da captação a distância, apesar de associada a tempos prolongados de isquemia, não aumenta a morbimortalidade após o transplante cardíaco e aumenta o pool de doadores viáveis, podendo diminuir a mortalidade em fila e o tempo de espera por um órgão. .